Democrats, world leaders congratulate Trump critic Lula on reelection in Brazil

Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. and leaders around the world congratulated Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, for winning an unprecedented fourth term Sunday.

Lula, an outspoken critic of President Trump, defeated Flávio Bolsonaro in Sunday’s runoff election. Bolsonaro is the son of Brazil’s former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup after he lost the 2022 presidential election to Lula.

Lawmakers in the U.S. more aligned with Lula’s brand of left-wing politics praised his victory and what it represents for the Western Hemisphere.

“Yesterday, Brazil showed the world that the will of the people is stronger than the authoritarians who try to suppress it. Congratulations President @LulaOficial and congratulations Brazil,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wrote Monday on social platform X .

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D), who hosted Lula during a state visit last month, used the English translation of a Latin American protest slogan — made famous by Chilean left-wing composer Sergio Ortega Alvarado and the folk group Quilapayún — in congratulating the Brazilian leader.

“The people united will never be defeated! Congratulations, President Lula,” Mamdani wrote Sunday night on X .

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, also praised Lula’s victory.

“Congratulations to Lula on his extraordinary reelection victory in the Brazilian presidential election,” the senator wrote Sunday on X . “Lula has stood up for Brazilian workers & democracy — and will continue to do so in the next four years.”

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) attributed Lula’s election victory to “fighting back against extremism” and urged Trump to “respect the results and not undermine Brazil’s elections.”

The U.S. president has not publicly spoken about Lula’s victory, as he supported Bolsonaro’s father, who has been dubbed the “Trump of the tropics.”

Other Democrats also applauded the election results, with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, writing on social media Monday that the people “in one of the world’s largest democracies” had spoken, and she encouraged “all to respect the electoral process.”

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also congratulated Lula’s win Monday and called on the Trump administration to “support” Brazil’s democratic process and “the will of the Brazilian people.”

Brazilians reelected Lula at a time when the right has seen gains across Latin America. One of the region’s few remaining left-wing leaders Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated Lula on his win.

“Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won,” she wrote Sunday on X .

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in congratulating Lula, said on social media that the relationship between their countries “has flourished under our partnership.”

“Let’s seize this opportunity to make it even stronger, together — to create major new trade opportunities, protect the environment, and build greater prosperity for both our peoples,” he wrote Sunday on X.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote that she congratulated “my friend” Lula.

“Democracy and multilateralism have won in Brazil. Europe’s partnership with Brazil is thriving,” she wrote Monday on X . “We will remain by your side for the years to come. Together we will keep working closely for free and open trade. A rules-based global order. And strong ambitions for our climate.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the Brazilian leader the “heartiest of congratulations to my dear friend” and called his victory “remarkable.”

“I look forward to working closely with him to further deepen and expand the multifaceted India-Brazil Strategic Partnership” Modi wrote on social media Monday.

“Together, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation across diverse sectors, advance the shared priorities of the Global South and work towards a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable world.”